A Macomb County man is charged with torturing and killing a pit bull mix and leaving the carcass under a picnic table at a park.
Alexander Gerth is accused of stabbing the 2-year-old dog, named Sterling, and leaving the body at Grant Park in Utica. Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said. “No animal deserves to have his life ended this way.”
Officials said they followed a trail of blood from a nearby waste bin to the picnic table.
Police said Gerth applied to adopt Sterling but was denied. He had a friend to adopt Sterling for him.
Gerth admitted to hitting the dog on numerous occasions as a means of discipline, police said.